The Goggle-Head Boys

Chapter 9

By Kelly Q

Taiki walked into his room and plopped in front of his computer. He sat there for approximately three minutes trying to figure out if he should ask Tagiru about Christopher, since they were both in the same class. What if he says the same thing Yamato said? He glanced at his cell and decided to text Tagiru. After he waited for a few he got a reply back. Taiki sighed and leaned back in his chair staring at the ceiling. He remained in that position until the screen on his cell lit up. Taiki straightened up and looked to see that it was a text from his childhood friend Angie. Taiki smiled, grabbed his cell, pushed the chair back, and walked to his bed. He laid down and used the voice activation to text her.

Angie has been friends with Taiki since they were kids. She has red hair in two low pigtails; wears a white T-shirt under her red overall, and matching red shoes.

Taiki pressed the send button when he got a another text from Tagiru, saying that he had a moment to Facetime since he was home. His hand moved the mouse to Facetime to see if Tagiru was online. And he was. Taiki clicked on the phone icon and waited. After a few moments, Tagiru's cheery face appeared on the screen.

"Hey, bud! What's up?"

"Do you remember that blond haired student I was telling you about?" Tagiru nodded his head. "He showed up at the arcade shortly after you and the others left…" Taiki paused for a brief moment before continuing. "He came up and introduced himself as Christopher..."

"Christopher? Christopher Aonuma...?" Taiki nodded his head. "So? What happened?"Tagiru urged.

"Not a whole lot. We raced and that's it." Taiki paused again, "He wants me to meet him next week at the arcade at 2.00PM..."

Tagiru frowned. There was something not right about that. "Do you want me to give your number to him?"

"My..." Taiki trailed off. Now that he thought about it, that was a little strange that Christopher didn't offer his cell phone number. "No. I'll handle it. But can you tell me about him.. since he's in your class?"

Tagiru frowned again. "I don't really know him..." he started to explain, "other than working hard and not being very social with everyone. He also seems to be uncomfortable when I'm in the classroom too." It was easy for Tagiru read his friend's troubled face. "Sorry I'm not much help. But I do need to go. I have homework to do."

Taiki sighed. "Don't worry about..." then a thought hit him. "That could work," he voiced out.

Tagiru raised a brow. "What could work?"

"I'll explain later."

Taiki knew that he was being rude when he hung up, but he wanted to talk to Angie about his idea. He logged out of Facetime when his cell phone chimed and the screen lit up. Taiki picked it up to see that it was a text from Angie with a picture of her and Christopher. Taiki sat there for a moment, wondering if he should say yes or no about allowing Angie to give his cell phone number to Christopher. Taiki sighed and text back with a request that he and Christopher meet at school tomorrow during lunch. A few minutes later he got a text back with a picture of her sticking her tongue out and the text saying she was going to have to deal with a moody Christopher. Taiki couldn't help but laugh and used the voice activation (again) to text her back; he also took a picture of himself sticking out his tongue.

After he sent it, Taiki decided to go for a leisurely walk before it got dark. He grabbed his basketball and headed out the door.


The park, two blocks from his apartment was buzzing with activity. Kids playing tag and couples walking around. Taiki dribbled his ball around to head to the hoop. He jumped in the air and aimed for a basket. The basketball went through the hoop and bounced a few feet away.

"...And he scores!"

"Impressive..."

Taiki turned to see that his basketball was underneath Christopher's black boot. It took a moment for Taiki to recognize that it was Christopher who he was staring at.

"Do you want a game?" He asked, rolling the ball under his foot.

To Be Continued …